King to host Stanley Tucci ahead of Italy state
King Charles and Queen Camilla will host actor Stanley Tucci at a formal dinner on Friday evening to celebrate the confirmation of a state visit to Italy later this year. The royal couple is scheduled to travel to Italy in April, where they will meet Pope Francis, Italian leaders, and participate in engagements in Rome and the historic city of Ravenna, Buckingham Palace has announced. The visit is expected to coincide with the King and Queen’s 20th wedding anniversary on April 9.
Tucci, who hosted the BBC series *Searching for Italy*, a program celebrating Italian food and culture, will deliver a speech at the event held at the royals’ Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire. The confirmation of the state visit indicates that King Charles, who is undergoing cancer treatment, is well enough to undertake an overseas trip.
Tucci, an American actor of Italian descent, starred in the Oscar-nominated Vatican thriller *Conclave* and has openly shared his experiences with throat cancer, which he said significantly impacted his sense of taste. His presence at the event highlights the cultural and personal connections being celebrated during the upcoming state visit.
The Italian-inspired evening at Highgrove will be attended by the Italian ambassador to the UK, Inigo Lambertini, alongside other guests. Chef Francesco Mazzei will prepare an Italian menu using local ingredients, showcasing the “slow food” philosophy, which emphasizes fresh, regional dishes cooked in traditional ways. Mixologist Alessandro Palazzi will craft drinks using Italian flavors and herbs grown at Highgrove, adding a unique touch to the event.
King Charles, a passionate advocate for art, culture, and religion, has visited Italy 17 times officially, making this upcoming trip his 18th. State visits, organized on behalf of the Foreign Office, aim to strengthen diplomatic ties, and the King and Queen are expected to meet senior Italian government figures during their stay. While the full itinerary has yet to be revealed, the visit is also likely to coincide with the couple’s 20th wedding anniversary on April 9, 2025. Their original wedding date in April 2005 was adjusted due to the death of Pope John Paul II, with the then-Prince Charles attending the funeral in Rome.
The trip will also align with a special “jubilee” year for the Catholic Church in 2025, held every 25 years. The King and Queen will join Pope Francis as “Pilgrims of Hope” during the celebrations. This marks a significant moment, as it will be their first meeting with the Pope since Charles became monarch and supreme governor of the Church of England. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip last attended such jubilee celebrations in 2000. King Charles previously met Pope Francis in 2019 during the canonization of Cardinal John Henry Newman, an English-born saint. This visit underscores the enduring cultural and religious ties between the UK and Italy.
